Rehab Articles
Christmas, substance abuse recovery
The Christmas season can be a difficult time if you are going through substance abuse recovery, but this does not mean that you have to relapse. This season is a time of happiness and excitement for children but for some adults it can be stressful and hard to get through because of all the extra preparations, shopping, entertaining, and parties that occur. Few people get through the Christmas season without a few mental dings and a whole lot of stress, but this does not mean that you have to give up on your substance abuse recovery. During the tough holiday season you can stay on your road to recovery with a little advance planning, some smart choices, and plenty of support from those who want to see you sober and still in recovery.
Christmas is often a time of joy and of sadness, because you may remember loved ones who are gone and dear friends who are no longer with you. Substance abuse recovery is the best tribute you can give, both to yourself and to others. Many people relapse during this time of year because there is often alcohol at the holiday parties and other events, and everyone seems to be having a good time. It is normal to want to be like everyone else and enjoy the event but if you are in substance abuse recovery and you drink or use drugs you could set yourself back to square one. Make it a point to avoid events where you would be expected to drink, even if it is just a toast with a glass of champagne.
Rehab Articles
stay sober, holiday season, substance abuse
1. During the holiday season the need to stay sober is very important, but this time of the year can be difficult for anyone who struggles with alcohol or drug abuse. Parties, holiday dinners, and all of the stress that this time of year brings can be daunting. Take time to relax, treat yourself to a spa day ro soak in the tub with your favorite music playing and some fragrant bath products.
2. Avoid places and situations where substance abuse is likely to occur. Bring your own bottle and make it a non alcoholic sparkling juice instead of wine or liquor. This will help you abstain no matter what cocktails the host of the event is serving.
3. Sleep is more important than ever during the holiday season, make sure you get enough quality sleep each night. When you are tired you are more likely to relapse and slide backwards, a good night of rest can keep you strong in your recovery.
4. Make a plan to help you stay sober. Carefully consider event invitations and weigh the risks involved. It is okay to leave early so that you get enough sleep, and you should not feel bad about turning down invitations. Don’t let yourself be overwhelmed.
5. Past substance abuse is a serious issue, and gift giving can cause incredible amounts of stress that could lead to a relapse. This year why not give gift cards? These are easy and convenient, making your shopping list easier to manage and your gifting requirements less stressful.
Rehab Articles
substance abuse recovery, relapse
Many people believe that relapse is a crucial part of substance abuse recovery, but this does not have to be the case when you choose the right treatment program and the best possible treatment methods. Before you make any final decision about a substance abuse recovery program take the time to find out what techniques and methods are offered, and then compare various programs to see which ones are the most effective and that have the lowest relapse rates. It is possible to get clean and stay that way without any back sliding or further rounds of treatment needed, but only when you make the right choices concerning the program and the methods used. Group counseling is an important part of treatment, but you also need individual counseling frequently in order to uncover and address the root causes of your alcohol or drug abuse.
Substance abuse recovery programs which have a high relapse rate will not help you get permanent results that last. In addition to group and individual counseling studies have shown that Christian rehabs typically have higher success rates, and there are some program components that can lower your risk for a relapse once you have finished treatment and you are well on your way to recovery. Nutritional counseling, anger management, even stress relief counseling can help you stay on the right path and prevent you from straying when you feel weak and you want to give in and go back to your old ways. Relapse does not have to occur when you are careful about which program you choose.
Rehab Articles
chronic pain, opioid use, mindfulness
Opioid use for chronic pain is a big problem in North America, and many who start out taking narcotic pain medications for legitimate pain end up with a substance abuse problem or even prescription drug addiction as a result of opioid use. A new study by the University of Utah shows that mindfulness techniques can help reduce the use of opioid drugs among people who suffer from chronic pain, and help prevent or minimize the risk of prescription drug abuse and addiction. The program that was developed by researchers at the university is called MORE, or Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement, and the results were very promising. The researchers use mindfulness techniques in order to help individuals who have chronic pain recover a feeling of meaning and a sense of accomplishment in their daily lives, and to lower the rate and the risks of prescription opioid use, abuse, and addiction.
The new study on mindfulness, opioid use, and chronic pain utilizes the latest developments and data on chronic opioid use and other types of substance abuse. Dr. Eric L. Garland was the lead researcher, and the results of the research can be found in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine. The study participants received 2 months of mindfulness oriented training to decrease opioid use and treat chronic pain, and meditation was included in the techniques used. According to Dr. Garland “These findings are scientifically important because one of the major theories about how and why addiction occurs asserts that over time drug abusers become dulled to the experience of joy in everyday life, and this pushes them to use higher and higher doses of drugs to feel happiness. This study suggests that this process can be reversed. We can teach people to use mindfulness to appreciate and enjoy life more, and by doing that, they may feel less of a need for addictive drugs. It’s a powerful finding.”
Rehab Articles
domestic violence between parents, effects of domestic violence
A new study by researchers at Case Western Reserve University has shown that domestic violence between parents can have a different effect depending on the sex of the child. The effects of domestic violence can be devastating for any child when they experience abuse between parents, but these effects are not always the same. Female children tend to internalize the effects of this exposure while male children externalize this experience and are more likely to act out as a result. In both sexes the exposure to domestic violence between parents will usually result in social development that is poor. There were two different points which were examined for the study, one when children start preschool and one when children begin kindergarten. The behavior of the child and their exposure to violence was assessed at each point.
The study on domestic violence between parents and the effects of domestic violence exposure on children were studied in the hope of developing early intervention programs. The lead researcher of the study, Megan R. Holmes, Ph.D., M.S.W, explained “Most children fell within normal ranges for social development and aggression. The exposure occurring when the child was of school age predicted poor social skills for girls but not for boys.” The study showed an increase in aggression among boys exposed to domestic violence between parents but not among girls. Holmes explained that “This aggression tends to isolate and prevent healthy interactions with other children.” Early detection and prevention may help improve the outcome for children exposed to the effects of domestic violence.
Rehab Articles
teen substance abuse, traumatic brain injury
A traumatic brain injury will increase the risk of teen substance abuse according to a new study performed at St. Micheal’s Hospital, which is located in Toronto, Canada. The study results show that traumatic brain injury can increase the risk of teen substance abuse significantly, making the individual 2-4 times more likely to drink alcohol or use drugs. The study results have been published in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, and it can help physicians and other medical care providers screen patients more effectively. The lead study researcher, neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Cusimano, explained “Overall, a teen with a history of TBI is at least twice as likely as a classmate who hasn’t suffered a brain injury to drink alcohol, use cannabis or abuse other drugs. But when you look at specific drugs, those rates are often higher.”
Teen substance abuse is a serious problem in Canada and the USA, and traumatic brain injury can play a role in this problem. Dr. Michael Cusimano, who also holds a position at the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science as a researcher, stated “On top of the other health consequences, substance abuse increases the odds of suffering an injury that could result in a TBI. And using some of these substances may also impair recovery after injury.” Cusimano also explained “Some people think of concussions as a less alarming injury than a mild TBI but this is wrong. Every concussion is a TBI. People should take every brain injury seriously because, as this research shows, the immediate and long-term effects can alter lives.”
